If waiting for your next summer holiday is just unbearable, then why not
consider a winter visit? 'Uncle Bob' our Lafki Correspondent, tells you his
experiences.
There seems to be an increasing interest in people visiting Corfu out of
season. Corfu's normal holiday period is from the beginning of May to the
end of October. During these dates, direct flights from major European
airports can easily be found. There are a few direct flights either side of
those dates, but few and far between.
So I am referring to the rest of the year - the winter - out of season.
How you get there is a little problematic. First you need to get to Athens
and then take a domestic flight to Corfu at a cost of about 75Euros per
person each way.
Before rushing out though and booking your flights, you need to consider
what it is that you will be expecting from your visit, to determine the
best time period for you. The weather is very changeable and unpredictable
during the winter. For me this is an interesting aspect of our visit.

I think the most important thing to realise is that generally the type of
holiday property that you are accustomed to renting in the summer would not
be appropriate for the winter, they just aren't geared up for cold weather.
You would need heating. Either a wood burning fire, with a plentiful supply
of firewood, and some sort of heating in the bedrooms and bathroom or
central heating would be better but not so romantic! My advice would also be
to ensure that there would be plenty of blankets and bedding available, you
can always discard anything that is not needed but it is miserable if you can't get warm.
Our house in the little village of Lafki (above Acharavi) is quite high up
and therefore colder than those on the coast.

If you plan to eat out similar to summer visiting then you will need to
explore which places are open, for instance, in November there were only
three places in Kassiopi serving food, a takeaway kebab bar, a pizza bar and
a music bar that served microwave food! Normally 'Little Italy' is open but
they were being re-roofed. In Acharavi there were only about four or five
places open every day plus some bars, and a couple more at week-ends.



Monolithi and La Rustique being two that were open every evening. The
Pumphouse opens from December onwards, and there was a new restaurant
opening as we left located opposite the Pumphouse. However be prepared to
travel. Gouvia and Kondokali had places open when we passed through.
If you plan to eat in, ensure that a proper kitchen and utensils will be
provided in your accommodation. And if it is necessary, where to change gas
bottles.
Of course
you will need a car during a winter visit, and I suggest you contact Nathan
from Agni Travel to arrange one. |
How Much Money?
How much will you need for eating out while on Corfu?
Taverna Agni
Find out who created and provides this web site?
Corfu Weather Guide
Detailed reports for each months.
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Agni Travel
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What is
there to do?

So what is there to do I hear you ask, well much the same as in the Summer
really, except for long days sunbathing on the beach and swimming in the
sea. On fine days you could picnic on the beach with a good book, walk the
coast path that you meant to do in the Summer but it was always too hot or
too many other people doing it, explore the mountain villages, visit the
local kafenion, which will have a permanent card school on the go, complete
with a furnace in the corner and a real fug of cigarette smoke mingled with
wood smoke and damp clothing, moth balls and paraffin, salt, cod and salami.
If its raining play cards or read indoors, or drive to Corfu town, the
old Jewish quarter tourist shops are closed but the rest of the town is open
and bustling.
If you are really lucky you can find a sheltered spot in the sun for a
little sunbathing for a short time.

I find its more an opportunity to recharge the batteries, switch off
from the high pressure style of living at home, catch up with your friends
who are too busy in the Summer to spend much time talking. Looking out the
bedroom window first thing in the morning and you can't see Albania for the
rain, and hopping back into bed with a cup of tea and another couple of
chapters of your book, without feeling guilty, bliss.
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